Ryan Suter

Suter with the Nashville Predators in February 2010.

Suter played for the Madison Capitols, Culver Military Academy and then went on to the USA Hockey's National Development Team in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before he was drafted seventh overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.[6] He then played one year with the Wisconsin Badgers (Western Collegiate Hockey Association in NCAA Division I)[7] before joining the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2004–05 season.[8] He played his rookie season in the NHL with the Predators in 2005–06.[9]

On June 16, 2008, Suter signed a four-year, $14 million contract extension with the Predators which commenced for the 2008–09 NHL season.[10]

On July 4, 2012, Suter signed a 13-year, $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild. He and fellow free agent signee Zach Parise were introduced to the media on July 10 and were announced as alternate captains under captain Mikko Koivu.[11][12] Suter got off to a rough start with a –7 plus-minus rating in his first nine games. However, once he began pairing with rookie defenseman Jonas Brodin, Suter began playing to expectations and was among three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded yearly to the NHL's top defenseman during the regular season. For the season, Suter averaged an NHL-leading 27:17 minutes of ice time as he helped Minnesota reach the playoffs, where the team fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.

Suter with the Wild in February 2013

Suter scored his first NHL hat-trick on January 4, 2014, against the Washington Capitals; his first two goals came on the power play 38 seconds apart in the second period, and in the third period, right after his penalty expired, Suter scored his third goal on a two-on-one with defenseman Clayton Stoner.[13] This goal sealed what would eventually be a 5–3 victory for the Wild.

During the 2015–16 season, Suter set a franchise record for the Minnesota Wild with the most points by a defenseman in a single season. With 43 assists and 51 points, he also set a personal best in both categories. Throughout his tenure with the Wild, he has continuously been relied upon to play a large number of minutes including on the power play and on the penalty kill.

On October 19, 2018, in a 3–1 win against the Dallas Stars, Suter recorded his 500th NHL point, becoming the 11th American-born defensemen to reach the milestone.[14] Later that month, on October 25, Suter played in his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 109th defenseman to reach the milestone.[15]